“annuit oculis, terit pede, digito loquitur,”
“He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;”
“winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers.”
“who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers;”
“That winketh with his eyes, that speaketh with his feet, That maketh signs with his fingers;”
Finger. These signs imply haughtiness, &c., Psalm xxxiv. 19., and Isaias lviii. 9. The posture indicates the interior sentiments, (St. Ambrose, off. i. 18.) insomuch, that St. Ambrose would not receive among the clergy one whose gestures were too light. The Persians still speak by signs. (Calmet)
Verses 12-19 If the slothful are to be condemned, who do nothing, much more those that do all the ill they can. Observe how such a man is described. He says and does every thing artfully, and with design. His ruin shall come without warning, and without relief. Here is a list of things hateful to God. Those sins are in a special manner provoking to God, which are hurtful to the comfort of human life. These things which God hates, we must hate in ourselves; it is nothing to hate them in others. Let us shun all such practices, and watch and pray against them; and avoid, with marked disapproval, all who are guilty of them, whatever may be their rank.